Ireland

Constructing Mount Lucas

Mount Lucas Wind Farm- Offaly, Ireland

Mount Lucas Wind Farm is a brand new wind farm currently under construction in Offaly, Ireland. The €115 million wind farm comprises 28 wind turbines, rated at 3MW with a total installed capacity of 84MW.

Bord na Móna is implementing the construction of the wind farm and once work is complete on the project, Mount Lucas will have the capacity to power up to 45,000 homes. In addition, the wind farm will generate peak employment of 150 during construction and sustain 12 long term positions when it becomes operational in 2014.

As a forward thinking and environmentally aware company, Bord na Móna implements projects which are designed to shape a better future for everyone. The company understands that the world is constantly changing and as a result needs to initiate projects which can change with it. Mount Lucas is a key green energy project for the company, which underpins Bord na Móna’s diversification strategy whilst at the same time contributes to meeting Ireland’s 2020 renewable energy targets.

Mount Lucas Wind Farm- Offaly, Ireland

Discussing the importance of the project, Bord na Móna CEO, Gabriel D’Arcy, said:

“We are very experienced in this area, with a history of investing in wind energy since the early 1990s. Mount Lucas in Offaly is exactly the type of large scale investment in energy production that will see significant and sustainable prosperity created across our nationwide landholding. Our plans for a sustainable Bord na Móna Clean Energy Hub will drive jobs and prosperity here by generating power not just for the Irish market but also for the British energy market.”

Mount Lucas Wind Farm is one of the largest wind farms in Ireland, with construction work commencing on the project in February 2012. Once work is complete on the project Bord na Móna Power-Gen’s asset management team will oversee the new wind farm, whilst a long term agreement has been signed with turbine supplier, Siemens, for the maintenance of the turbines on the site.

Mount Lucas Wind Farm- Offaly, Ireland

In order for the construction work to get off the ground, planning conditions required that initial site clearance works had to be completed ahead of the bird breeding season. Early works included the creation of access roads and the construction of the wind farm substation.

A large piling rig was on site during summer 2013, whilst a number of 100 tonne cranes were utilised for the installation of reinforcement steel for the turbine bases.

Discussing the project’s progress, Project Development Manager for Bord na Móna Power-Gen, Brendan Connolly, said:

“The balance of plant works at Mount Lucas is starting to draw to a close now. Most of the bases at have been constructed, with the remaining bases scheduled for completion within the next month.

Mount Lucas Wind Farm- Offaly, Ireland

“Our grid connection has been completed and is now entering the commissioning stages, which means our new substation will go live by the end of the year.”

Brendan added:

“Moving forward we will shortly be looking at the mobilisation and delivery of the turbines to site, with installation works beginning in January 2014. Of course this aspect is subject to the ever changing weather conditions, but if all continues to remain as planned, the wind farm should be fully installed and commissioned by June 2014.

“Mount Lucas Wind Farm is a great project and I look forward to seeing it completed and fully operational.”

For more information on Mount Lucas Wind Farm or to learn more about Bord na Móna, please visit: www.bordnamona.ie.

Gaeltec Utilities Ltd 

Founded in 2003, Gaeltec Utilities Ltd has grown to become one of the leading companies operating in the energy and renewable sectors. Employing over 170 direct highly skilled professional staff, Gaeltec has a proven track record for continuously delivering high standards working on many prestigious projects on an international stage.

Gaeltec Utilities Ltd is the lead company in the consortium contracted to construct two wind farms for Bord na Móna – Mount Lucas and Bruckana. These combined projects represent over 126 MW of wind energy that will make a significant contribution to the energy sector and Ireland’s Renewable Energy Targets for 2020.

Mount Lucas Wind Farm- Offaly, Ireland

Mount Lucas is the larger of the two wind farm developments. Gaeltec’s main scope in Mount Lucas is the Electrical Balance of Plant (EBOP) which comprises of design, supply, erection and commissioning of the EBOP works. This includes all design and electrical works associated with the onsite 20kV/110kV substation, 100km of MV cabling, 27km of Fibre Optic cabling and connection to the local 110 kV overhead transmission line.

Gaeltec commenced the scope of works in late 2012 and to date all the milestones have been achieved. All the contestable works have now been completed which gives great confidence in the project being delivered as per the client’s requirements and targets.

Gaeltec’s team which comprises of highly dedicated and experienced professionals are working closely with the client in order to ensure this scheme is delivered on time and to a high standard.

Gaeltec Utilities Ltd has a proven track record in this field which has been demonstrated by the successful completion of many EBOP Contracts including England’s largest on shore wind farm, Fullabrook, which is one of ESBI’s Wind Development projects. Further confirmation of the company’s ability to perform at an international level is the recent completion of a similar project in Betws, Wales.

Most recently in Ireland, Gaeltec Utilities Ltd has also secured an EBOP and cabling contract for the

construction of a wind farm project in the South of Ireland for Bord Gais Energy.

Gaeltec Utilities Ltd has grown and diversified with their experience extending beyond the construction of wind farms. They now have over 10 substation and overhead line infrastructure developments currently on-going in the UK market. Additionally, Gaeltec are also involved in HV substation projects for ESB which includes 110kV and 220kV GIS substation construction.

Gaeltec Utilities Ltd has been involved in a contracting capacity with the ESB since 2003 and continues to be one of the leading companies constructing and upgrading the energy infrastructure in Ireland.

Gaeltec Utilities Ltd is also contracted to construct and upgrade substations for ESB Networks nationwide and is responsible for delivering many of the wind development projects rolled out by ESBI Wind Developments both in Ireland and overseas.

Gaeltec Utilities Ltd is fully committed to the energy and renewable market, the business commitment, coupled with the competency and experience within has positioned the company to be a key player in assisting both Ireland and UK in meeting their 2020 European Targets for generating electricity from renewable energy.

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